The sorcerer had immediately put on a face adapted to the circumstances; his mysterious conversation with the white woman and the terror depicted on his features were sufficient for the Indians, who, without stopping to ask any questions dispersed in all directions, and disappeared behind the toldos.
"You see," the sorcerer said, with a smile of pride, "I am powerful, and can avenge myself on those who deceive me. But where does my white daughter come from?"
"From the tree of Gualichu," she answered boldly.
"My daughter has the forked tongue of the cougar," the matchi replied, who believed neither in his own words nor in his god; "does she take me for a ñandu?"
"Here is a magnificent collar of pearls which Gualichu gave me for the inspired man of the Aucas."
"Oh," said the sorcerer, "what service can I render my daughter?"
"Lead us to the toldo of the great chief of the Patagonian nations."
"Does my daughter desire to speak with Nocobotha?"
"I do."
"Nocobotha is a wise chief; will he receive a woman?"